Gas-tank cap



Oct. 22, 1929. H. E. TATE ET AL GAS TANK CAP Filed Feb. 14, 192B gwoenfou HomerE Tte P WW m m E W 5 W W10 J PatentedOct. 22, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOMER E. TATEJAMES E. KING, AND HERBERT BARBER, OF ASI'ILAND, KENTUCKY GAS-TANK CA]? Application filed February 14, 1928. Serial No. 254,811.

Our invention relates to'a cap for the gas tank of an automobile and it is an object of the invention to provide a cap which may be substituted for the conventional screw cap but having means for locking the same in position so that it cannot be stolen, removed or access had to the contents of the tank by an unauthorized person, all as will be hereinafter more particularly described and claimed. 7

Referring to the accompanying drawings which are made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts, i

Figure 1 is a vertical section illustrating one application of our invention,

Figure 2, a bottom plan view of the cap, and Figure 3, a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2. In the drawings reference character 10 indicates the neck or mouth of a conventional tank for holding gasoline or other motor fuel such neck being provided with external threads 11 for the reception of a screw cap or cover.

Our improved cap comprises a cylindrical body member 12 having internal threads 13 for cooperation with the external threads 11 on the neck 10 and said cvlindrical body member is adapted to be locked in place by means of a rivet 14 which passes through the body and the neck. The body member 12 is provided with three equally spaced protuberances or bosses 15 forming bayonet pins which are adapted to enter a cover or lid 16 for bolding the same over the end of the body 12 such cover being provided with bayonet slots 17 for the reception of the protuberances or bosses 15, it being necessary in fastening the over the body and give it a partial rotation as is usual in connecting two members having a bayonet connection.

A lock 18 is mounted in the cover or lid 16 for preventing rotation of the cover or lid when the locking bolt 19 of the lock 18 is in projected position. g'lhe lock-18 is mounted on th under side of a disk or plate of fiber or the l to material 20 which "fits snuglv within the cap. The upper end of the cylindrical it will be necessary to insert a key into the cover on the body to merely place the same tion, what we claim as new and desire body member 12 is'turned inwardly to. form an annular flange or ledge 21 and upon this flange is placed a washer or gasket 22 which is compressed between the annular ledge or flange and the top forming a tight closure to prevent the waste of gas or other motor fuel.

The flange 21 is provided with three spaced recesses 23, one arranged opposite each bayonet slot 17 for the reception of the locking bolt 19 so that when the locking bolt is in extended or projected position or the cover or lid is in place such locking boltwill enter into one of the recesses 23 and prevent rotation of the cover or lid relative to the nipple 10 and lock 18 and retract the locking bolt 19 before the cap can be turned for removing the same.

In Fig. 3, we have illustratedthe manner of securing the lock 18 to the 'cover or lid by means of rivets 24 which extend through the plate 20. The lock 18 is preferably provided with a hinged cover 25 for excluding moisture and the like. The cover 16 is provided with a small aperture 26 for the passage of air therethrough and likewise the plate 20 is provided, with a similar aperture 27, said aperturesbeing oflset so that water cannot passdirectly into the tank. i It will be readily apparent from the foregoing that we have provided a two-part cap for a gas tank, one of the parts being adapted to be screwed onto and fixed to the neck of the gas tank with a cover detachablv secured thereto with means for locking the cover in position, such cap being of very simple construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in our device without departing from the spirit of the invention, and we, thereforendo not limit ourselves to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only asset forth in the appended claims,

Having thus fully described ou'r said invento secure by Letters Patent, is: 1. A cap for a gas tank comprising a body adapted to be fastened in position on the tank,

a cover for the body having a'bayonet connection therewith and rotatable for disconnect ing the same from the body, a flange on the upper end of said body provided with a recess, a lock fixed to said cover, and provided with a locking bolt for engagement with said 5 recess for locking the cover on the body,

substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the externally threaded mouth of a gas tank, of a sleeve threaded on saidmouth and having spaced 10 external protuberances, a rivet extending through. said threaded mouth and sleeve for fastening them together, a cover having bayonet slots for receiving said protuberances. and a look carried by the cover and movable into engagement with the sleeve for holding the cover locked in position on the sleeve, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof, We have hereunto set our hands at Ashland, Kentucky, this 20 eleventh day of February, A. D. nineteen hun dred and twenty-eight.

HOMER E. TATE. JAMES E. KING. HERBERT BARBER. 

